Talk about getting it right. The giant squid scene was pretty much done when Walt took another look. Out went the daytime battle and in came the nightime in a storm epic that we see today. This film set the Disney standard for live action films. 
To get things back on track, Walt went back to the formula he knew would succeed - the Princess film. Cinderella became a huge hit and help the Studio get back in the green.
Alice was not one of Walt's favorites. Kind of odd and a bit episodic for his tastes. However, this film has aged wonderfully and is favorite for many.We are now entering Gallery 7 which focuses on the Rebuilding years - the mid '40s to the early 1950s. This is when Walt realized that in order to succeed and not run into the problems that he had over the past few years, he needed to diversify his business. One could say that this thinking is the reason why we now have Disneyland, the nature films, incredible live-action films, various TV shows, and so much more. In some ways, this may be one of the most inventive periods in the Studios history.
A lot of experimenting was going on. The Studio began creating package films for theaters that combined shorts and feature-length animated films. More work was done on combining live action with animation refining what he started with the Alice shorts and developing the technology that would ultimately lead to Mary Poppins. Walt also produced his first live-action features including Treasure Island and the amazing 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. Talk about a productive time.
And his animated features of the period are still considered classics today - Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Lady and the Tramp, the studio's first wide-screen animated feature.
For movie buffs, you will be spending a lot of time in this gallery. Concept and animation art will be featured along with artifacts from the live-action movies. The underwater camera used in the filming of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea will be on display. Also, Walt's extensive personal collection of minatures will be on exhibit.
The Museum opens October 1 to the general public with D23, Carolwood Pacific, and Museum members getting a preview on September 26 and 27. Tickets are now on sale for the Museum at their website.
Lots of ways to follow along with the grand opening. Next week we will be entering the gallery I am most looking forward to - Gallery 8. Thanks WDF Museum folks for the early look.
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